WHAT’S NEW?
ALPACAS VISIT VETERANS Residents at Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton recently welcomed alapacas Hugo and Finley to the Home.
The 15-month-old boys were greeted by excited staff and residents in the reception area, where they were fed carrots and made a fuss of. The pair were then taken on a tour of the Home, greeting veterans in their rooms and meeting residents in the dementia care area.
Resident Amy, who served in the WAAF during WWII, said: “I never thought I’d get to my age and feed an alpaca,” Air Force veteran Bea said: “Although we didn’t have alpacas, it reminded me of the days when my husband and I were farming.”
Research shows stroking animals can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and increase social interaction and physical activity. It has also been shown to help battle depression and loneliness.
Suzie Elliott is one of the Wellbeing Coordinators at Surbiton. She said: “We love welcoming animals to the Home, and the residents love having them here. It puts them in such a happy mood, and you can see the boost it gives to their wellbeing. The residents couldn’t get enough of Hugo and Finley and they
can’t wait to have them back – they brought a lot of happiness to the home.”
Royal Star & Garter is a charity which provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia.
www.starandgarter.org/surbiton
CARE VILLAGE RESIDENTS NAMED INTERGENERATIONAL
CHAMPIONS Three residents at Belong Care village in Chester, which incorporates the region’s first fully integrated nursery within a care setting, have been named ‘Intergenerational Champions’ by national charity Ready Generations for advocating the benefits of connections between younger and older people.
Following the village’s opening last year, some of the first residents to move into the village are reporting how the pioneering project has enriched their lives and given them new purpose and meaning. In response, Ready Generations has recognised them as ambassadors for the mutual advantages of connections across generations.
Ready Generations Founder, Sue Egersdorff, said: “Intergenerational Champions are people who advocate for multi-generational experiences, particularly those whose lives have been enhanced personally.”
Designed to research the positive effects that multi-generational relationships can have on the health, wellbeing and
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learning of young and old alike, the Nursery in Belong is situated at the heart of the care village. It provides a range of indoor and outdoor shared spaces for residents, nursery children and the wider community.
Belong Chester apartment tenants Alan and his wife Diana, who lives with dementia, both received the accolade. Together they visit the nursery most days, oſten taking their pet budgie. Alan reports that the nursery has had a transformative effect on their wellbeing. “It has brought the joy back into our lives”, he said. “Having the nursery children around reminds me of what it was like when our children were young.”
The other recipient of the Intergenerational Champion title, Bill, who lives in a household at Belong Chester, helps the children at lunchtimes and has formed firm friendships with a number of them, who enjoy him singing nursery rhymes.
Commenting on the impact for both children and residents, Sue said: “It’s very encouraging that we are already seeing significant benefits so soon aſter opening. Our older friends have more time to spend interacting with children, so they are developing their language skills faster and gaining in confidence
as a result. Residents say that they love having the children around. It brings vibrancy and joy to the village, as well as contributing to a sense of community. We enjoy each other’s company and caring for one another.”
www.belong.org.uk - 7 -
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